my hood won't close

dredged

01-01-2004, 09:01 PM

I have a 94 Civic and the hood won't close all the way. The safety latch works, so it's not flying open, but I can't get it to close all the way. The hood release lever on the inside is also loose when I pull on it. My guess is that the hood latch needs to be adjusted. Anyone know how to repair this?

Dave

BullShifter

01-01-2004, 09:13 PM

If the handle is loose, then the cable is either stretched or broken. Both requiring a new cable for a proper repair. Disconnect the cable from the handle inside & pull with pliers. If it's broken get a new cable(installed). On the other hand the release(under hood) could be stuck, pry with screwdriver/lube.

This use to happen to my old hb. Look in the insidde latch Find the cable and spring for the release. Put your finger on it and move it to the right and it will close. I hope i am not to late.

elon3kgtslowner

07-12-2012, 03:06 AM

be careful when you use a screw driver and wd40 that the hood release cable is properly working. I had the same problem, used the wd40 solution, and as of today I now can't open my hood.

I tried pulling on the cable with plyers and it wont budge. Heard I have to cut a wire coat hanger and feed it under the hood to release the mechanism manually. I dont even know if its possible.

not sure exactly what I did but don't do whatever that was. :mad:

cp___32

07-25-2012, 01:59 PM

Well since it's a pretty simple mechanism, there's really not much to check out. If the cable is free to move and when the hood is propped open, you can have someone pull on the lever and can definitely see the release mechanism moving enough to release the hood and back to catch the spring when it closes, you can rule out the cable as being the culprit. It should be pretty obvious that if you don't see movement under there, that the cable is at least one problem. WD40 or some other penetrating oil could free it up, or you could go to a motorcycle shop and look for cable lube, or ask someone for a product to free up seized cables. And be gentle. That cable isn't really a treat to replace so careful not to snap it while trying to fix it.

If the mechanism is moving freely and the metal piece in charge of holding the hood latch closed moves into place, then it's simply an alignment issue between the latch on your rad support, and the spring unit on the hood. I'd try loosening up the part on the hood just slightly that way it can move a little. See if you can get the hood to close and latch. This should move the mechanism into alignment and then when you release the hood you can tighten the part back up in its happy place.